There is just something SO beautiful about the pit village church. The architecture of medieval England using the materials derived from the coal seams, picked away by the very men who went on to worship in them. St Paul’s at Waterhouses is such a fine example.

The nave and chancel was constructed in 1868, with gradual extensions and additions over the course of the next half century. Its inception makes it a very early effort by the Anglicans to assert their presence in an environment where they’re much less favoured. It made for a breeding ground of these gorgeous designs, like that shown in recent days. They competed for the hearts and minds for the pitmen and wives, and this certainly was a great and expensive effort.

It was opened by the Bishop of Durham, with services previously held in an old rickety cottage - very possibly the old High Water Houses that the settlement was named after. Lord Boyne, who owned vast quantities of land in Durham (and has a good few pubs named after him here), granted the site and provided a handsome donation for its construction.

It is entirely built of firebricks produced at the Pease’s West Colliery Brickworks over at Bank Foot near Crook. This cream glaze is a common sight in these parts, adding to a charming vernacular. The Early English influence comes in the form of this narrow lancet windows under an enclosing arch, with smaller lancet windows sandwiched in by the buttresses on the sides.

With a capacity of 200, it was designed by C Hodgson Fowler - a man no stranger to anyone with an interest in North East churches. You’ll find his works at Spennymoor, Sunderland Bridge, Dalton le Dale, Belmont and Harton.

The grounds also feature a part original Sunday School/church hall made of corrugated iron. It's been here since the 19th century, but years of wear has rendered the building unusable for the general public.